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Community Invited To Submit Ideas For Charter Revision By July 8

Published: Jul 02, 2026 7:00 am

The Newtown Charter Revision Commission invites all residents to share their ideas, suggestions, and perspectives for consideration in the current charter revision process. Community input plays a vital role in shaping how local government functions, and residents are encouraged to participate by submitting their thoughts no later than July 8.

A public hearing was held on April 9, at which time the community was invited to share any suggestions they might have. The commission will not be accepting any new proposed charter suggestions after the July 8 meeting.

The charter — the foundational document that outlines how the town government operates — is reviewed every five years to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community. As the Charter Revision Commission evaluates potential updates, public insight is essential to understanding what changes may strengthen transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in town governance.

Residents may submit ideas on any aspect of the charter, including areas they believe should be clarified, modernized, or improved. All submissions will be reviewed by the commission as part of its deliberative process.

Maureen Crick Owen, chairman of the 2026 Charter Revision Commission, said community voices "are central to this work.

"Your ideas help ensure that any proposed revisions reflect the values and priorities of Newtown,” she added.

Submissions may be sent to Crick Owen at mcrickowencrc@gmail.com or delivered in person on July 8.

The public is invited to attend the meetings. There is public comment at the beginning and at the end of each meeting.

The Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm in the conference room of Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

For additional information, contact Crick Owen via email or at 203-733-4562.

The 2026 Newtown Charter Revision Commission invites all residents to share their ideas, suggestions, and perspectives for consideration in the current charter revision process.

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With the publication of installment No. 26, Trump’s Triumphs has now consumed enough broadsheet paper—approximately 3.6 miles—to stretch from the center of Newtown, past the dump, and nearly to Sand Hill Plaza. That is the amount of paper used to print these 26 installments alone. Do you think they will stop before we get to Monroe? If Trump becomes 48 in 28 then we would make the sound for sure!

Elections Have Consequences XXVI

Dave, you are right that only those in the Borough signed onto the law suits, as it was made clear during the Borough meetings that signers had to be residents of the Borough. However, as you know, there was a concerted effort by the Newtown Conservation Coalition to organize people (throughout town) and to orchestrate actions intended to foil the overall development. If one searches the Bee for “Newtown Conservation Coalition” one will find many articles and editorials that cite the coalition. More that 18 of those articles and editorials, from March 2024 through February 2025, are about the Castle Hill Development and include direct quotes from the NCC head/founder including, e.g.,: 1) Newtown Conservation Coalition founder Dave Ackert has sagely urged his fellow NCC members to “stick to the relevant regulations issues and concerns in your testimony,” as “general opinions and concerns will not be considered when making their decision." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing." [https://www.newtownbee.com/08292024/borough-zoning-to-begin-20-60-castle-hill-public-hearing] 2) “We’re being sold a lot of things,” said Ackert. “The developer said he is going above and beyond in preserving open space, but the only part [of the plan] that doesn’t have houses are the steep slopes. He’s not avoiding buildable land, he’s using every buildable inch.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/09272024/borough-zoning-hears-perspectives-on-castle-hill-development] In addition to the articles and editorials, you (Dave) also wrote over 8 letters related to the development, in essence speaking for the residents, e.g., saying “On behalf of hundreds of concerned residents living within 500 feet who signed protest petitions, and residents downstream who’s property and finances could also be negatively impacted, I ask the BOS to rescind the discontinuance decision now.” [https://www.newtownbee.com/07102025/discusses-rochambeau-trail-and-6-commerce-road] The main tools for the Newtown Conservation Coalition are FOI complaints and legal action. These actions have increased the amount both the Town and the Borough have had to pay for legal counsel over the last few years. The cost is shared by all households and businesses for Town actions. Unfortunately, it is shared by very few, relatively speaking, for Borough actions. This year’s Borough costs are $58,000 to date. There were FOIA/legal actions in 2024 and 2025 too. Eventually, we will all see if that was money well spent. My sense is that the answer is no.

What’s Going On In The Borough?

my concern is not limited to this single FOIA request or this one case. It is the broader pattern of obstructionism, fear-mongering, and personal nastiness reflected in your Facebook page and other public commentary. You routinely call people to action by presenting only one side of complicated issues, assigning the worst possible motives to those who disagree with you, and giving little consideration to the legitimate concerns or perspectives on the other side. That may generate outrage and attention, but it does not make you a constructive participant in Newtown’s civic affairs. You are entitled to question public officials and pursue whatever legal remedies are available to you. But you should not pretend that your own conduct, rhetoric, and repeated escalation of disputes have played no role in the hostility and expense surrounding these matters. Newtown would be a nicer and more productive community with less of this kind of divisive behavior.

My "actions" were a single request for audio recordings of public meetings. It would have cost the Borough ZERO dollars to turn those over, as required by law. Instead, the Chair of the Borough Zoning commission decided, unilaterally, without informing the rest of his commission, to fight that Freedom of Information request. Mr. Johnson attempt to deflect blame falls flat on its face here. Facts matter.

Can you name a single person involved in one of the lawsuits who does not reside in the Borough? I'll wait......

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Community Invited To Submit Ideas For Charter Revision By July 8

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